Archive | 2019
Exoatmospheric Plowshares: Using a Nuclear Explosive Device for Planetary Defense Against an Incoming Asteroid
Abstract
What should be done if we suddenly discover a large asteroid on a collision course with Earth? The consequences of an impact could be enormous-scientists believe that such a strike 60 million years ago led to the extinction of the dinosaurs, and something ofsimilar magnitude could happen again. Although no such extraterrestrial threat now looms on the horizon, astronomers concede that they cannot detect all the potentially hazardous * Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center. The author gratefully acknowledges the valuable comments from the following experts, colleagues and friends who reviewed prior drafts of this manuscript: Hope M. Babcock, Michael R. Cannon, Pierce Corden, Thomas Graham, Jr., Henry R. Hertzfeld, Edward M. Ifft, Raymond Jeanloz, Daniel H. Joyner, Barry Kellman, Rob R. Landis, Paul B. Larsen, Daniel D. Mazanek, Steven A. Mirmina, Scott Pace, Gabriel Swiney, James B. (Bart) Wager, Jr., and Brian Weeden. The author also thanks Danielle B. Ellison for her extraordinarily effective research assistance throughout the project. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. government or any other entity. Exoatmospheric Plowshares: Using a Nuclear Explosive Device for Planetary Defense Against an Incoming Asteroid 77 near-Earth objects, and even more striking, they acknowledge that if such a danger were discerned, there is currently no proven capability for diverting or destroying it. One possible response to this type of incipient catastrophe could be to send into space a nuclear explosive device, hoping the massive blast could alter the asteroid s trajectory. Indeed, if time were short, that might be the only effective remedy. But two major nuclear arms control treaties-which have been joined by most of the leading countries and are widely appreciated as fundamental to global security-specifically forbid that approach. This Article examines that critical clash of legal, political, and technical values, and concludes that the best response would be for the UN Security Council to adopt a binding resolution pursuant o its powers under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to deal with the emergency on an expeditious, global basis. A proposed draft of such a resolution is presented, along with explanatory annotations. ABSTRACT .................................................. 76